30.12.2016 ►Jain Vegans ►Newsletter @ HereNow4U

Jain Vegans

In this Issue:

As 2016 comes to an end, the Jain Vegans team would like to wish you happy holidays and a great start to 2017.

If you are thinking about making some resolutions for the new year, we’ve got some great ideas for make 2017 better for you and all the living beings with whom we share our home.

Not vegan? Why not go vegan for January with Veganuary?
Vegan Life Live | 7-8th Jan | Alexandra Palace
Already follow a Vegan diet? Why not aim for a vegan lifestyle for 2017
Make sure you get enough B12 and vitamin D
Why not join the Vegan Society as a member
Consider getting a vegan magazine subscription

Not vegan? Why not go vegan for January with Veganuary?

Many of our subscribers think a vegan diet is the right thing to do, but we know that many have not managed to commit just yet.

If you are one of these individuals, why not set a new years goal to follow a more ethical diet for 2017, starting with a commitment to go vegan for January.

By signing up to Veganuary, you can join thousands of others pledging to going vegan for the start of 2017. You will also get free advice and support, including meal plans, shopping guides, recipes and nutritional report.

Veganuary is aiming to help motivate 50,000 people to go vegan this January, and currently has 2,500 adverts on display across the London Tube network.

Let’s help them achieve their goal.

Vegan Life Live
Alexandra Palace | 7 - 8th Jan | £ 8-10 (u16 free)

The team behind Vegan Life magazine (see later) has organised this brand new two-day event designed to embrace plant-based living at Alexandra Palace, London.

Their specially selected exhibitors will prove that choosing a vegan lifestyle doesn't mean denying yourself anything; from delicious food and drink, to incredible clothing, and cruelty-free skincare - there's something for everyone. With cooking demonstrations, product presentations, and a full schedule of workshops and film showings, you'll be surrounded by experts who are on hand to provide advice and guidance. You will even be able to relax with a drink or an ice-cream and enjoy a selection of live entertainers.

Find out all activities at the event in the show guide: http://bit.ly/VLLPDF

For further details and to book tickets click the following link.

http://www.veganlifelive.com/london/

Already follow a Vegan diet? Why not aim for a vegan lifestyle for 2017

Many of you will also be aware that animal products can be found in many household items, not just food.

So if you already follow a vegan diet, why not aim for a fully vegan lifestyle over 2017?

There is no need to rush out and buy new things. But the next time you replace items of clothing/footwear, household goods or toiletries - how about going for a vegan option?

The Vegan Society has useful guides for ethical and vegan friendly clothing and footwear, while Viva! has a handy guide for household items like toiletries, cleaning products and candles.

Some of the smaller vegan companies highlighted on the Viva! link above often have the best environmental credentials however even large companies have significant vegan ranges.

If you are based in the UK, many Superdrug products are certified as suitable for vegans and are affordable.

For household cleaning products, Astonish products are available from discount stores and pound shops, and are registered as vegan friendly by the Vegan Society.

Make sure you get enough B12 and vitamin D

Many Jains and vegetarians in the UK don’t get enough B12 or vitamin D through their lifestyle and diet.

Why not include ensuring an adequate supply of these nutrients alongside any other health goal you are considering for 2017?

Many fortified plant milks contain these nutrients. And as we highlighted in September, the newly reformulated VEG 1 supplement is a convenient way to ensure you get enough B12, Iodine, Vitamin D and selenium.

Why not join the Vegan Society as a member

If you support the aims of reducing suffering to animals and making a vegan lifestyle easier for wider society, why not consider donating to the Vegan Society or becoming a member?

The Vegan Society first coined the term “vegan” in 1944, and has been promoting a vegan lifestyle ever since. Today, the Society helps us find vegan products through its Vegan Trademark, provides reliable nutritional guidance and supplies the VEG 1 supplement (see above).

Membership starts from just £24 a year for those in paid employment, and includes a free subscription to the society’s quarterly magazine.

One of the benefits of Vegan Society membership is discounts from vegan-friendly businesses on production of your membership card (including holiday companies, clothing firms, cafes, restaurants and more) and health food shops, and also 10% off VEG 1. For further information about the benefits of joining The Vegan Society, visit this link:
www.vegansociety.com/take-action/membership

Consider getting a vegan magazine subscription

If you are interesting in seeing mouthwatering recipes, and the latest news and tips on living a vegan lifestyle, you should consider taking out a dedicated vegan magazine subscription.

Each issue is beautifully illustrated and packed with useful information.

In the UK there are currently 2 dedicated vegan lifestyle magazines (Vegan Life and Vegan Food & Living), and another dedicated vegan cooking magazine (Cook Vegan).

Subscribe today, and brace yourself for a healthier, tastier 2017!

Upcoming vegan events

Vibrant social events in London
For information on monthly informative talks, regular scenic walks at different locations in London, social meals at some of the best vegan-friendly restaurants in the city, social meetups in London among like-minded folk, check out the follow links:
London Vegans and London Vegan Meetup

Vegan Life Live (Alexandra Palace) - Sat 7th & Sun 8th Jan '17
www.veganlifelive.com

Absolutely Fabulous Vegan Market & Kids Frozen Day Fun (Cardiff), Sat 14th Jan '17
https://www.facebook.com/events/689044827939999

Central Manchester Vegan Fair - Sat 21st Jan '17
https://www.facebook.com/events/1816608695225373/

The Greater London Vegan Festival - Sat 4th Feb '17
http://www.londonanimalfreefestival.com

Cardiff Viva! Vegan Festival - Sat 4th Feb '17
http://www.viva.org.uk/festivals/cardiff-2017

VegfestUK Brighton - Sat 11th & Sun 12th March '17
http://brighton.vegfest.co.uk/

For a list of many other great upcoming vegan events, visit this link:
http://shambhus.co.uk/events/

Vegan recipes & cookery classes

Do you need advice and tips on how to veganise your favourite dishes or perhaps you're looking for ways to introduce more plant based cuisine into the family diet? If so check out the following listings:

http://www.jainvegans.org/recipes/
http://yummyvegan.tumblr.com/
https://veganjain.com/
http://plantshift.com/recipebook/

Would you like to share the recipe for a favourite Jain vegan dish? Please email us on for publication on our website.
(Please accurately state all measurements in metric units)

Vegan cookery classes & demos

Abuse and killing of cows in milk production

The abuse and killing of cows on dairy farms is the main reason why many members of the Jain community have decided to make a switch to a vegan lifestyle:

The cow is forcefully impregnated through artificial insemination. If a cow isn’t made pregnant, she won’t produce milk.
The newborn calf is normally taken away from his/her mother within 24-48 hours. This is traumatic for cows, who, like human mothers, are very motherly and develop strong bonds with their babies.
Male calves are killed shortly after birth or sold on for meat/leather production. They have no other use to dairy farmers.
Female calves are kept on to replace their mothers as milk-producing cows.
The mother cow will be killed when 5-7 years old, even though she could live for 15 to 20 years if given the chance. This is because after bearing a calf and giving milk each year, her milk yield drops such that it is no longer profitable for a dairy farmer to keep her alive.

Even though cows on organic farms might experience slightly better conditions, they are still artificially inseminated and killed long before they would leave their bodies naturally.

NHS website supportive of a vegan diet

For further information on vegan health nutrition, please consult the Vegan Section on the NHS website or visit this link: http://www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health

Alternatives to dairy to help you give up

It is possible to get a range of dairy free alternatives to traditionally animal based products. Normally available from free-from sections of supermarkets and also from health food stores.

You can easily replace:

Cow milk with Soya/Rice/Almond/Coconut Milk (Supermarket ownbrands, Alpro, Provamel, Bonsoy, Ecomil, Koko, Sojade)
Yoghurt / Dahi with plant based curds (Provamel, Alpro, Sojade, Coyo, supermarket own brands)
Butter with vegetable spreads (Pure and Vitalite are commonly available from supermarkets. Note many margarines contain butter milk and thus are not suitable for vegans)
Cheese / Paneer with Dairy Free Cheeses (Tofu, VBites, Sheese, Tofutti, Vegusto, Vegourmet, Violife)
Ice Creams with sorbets or dairy free ice creams (Alpro, Bessant and Drury, Swedish Glace, Booja Booja, Almond Dream, Coyo, supermarket own brands)
Chocolate with dark chocolate (Plamil and Organica do specialist dairy free ‘milk chocolate’ and many brands do vegan dark chocolate)
Eggs with egg replacement powder (baking) or tofu (scrambled)
Honey with maple syrup, rice syrup, agave syrup, date syrup or golden syrup

About Jain Vegans

Jain Vegans supports members of the Jain community in the transition towards a plant-based low-himsa lifestyle, and helps raise awareness about the abuse, violation and killing of cows in milk production.

You can find out more about Jain Vegans online (www.jainvegans.org) or interact with us through the following online channels:

..a friendly online forum where you can ask questions and exchange ideas about the vegan lifestyle with other members from around the world....

...follow us on Twitter (@JainVegans) for instant news and information...

'like' us on facebook for updates on our activities and invitations to events...

THE JAIN VEGANS WORKING GROUP

In the UK, the Jain Vegans Working Group actively works with UK Jain organisations to deliver informative and empowering events on a plant-based lifestyle, and to encourage them to make the transition to all-vegan catering at their events. Please us if you'd like us to help your Jain organisation/community in this way. Please also if you are interested in supporting our activities, for example by volunteering.

With warm wishes,

The Jain Vegans Team
www.jainvegans.org